University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


Fnd  I.  Morris  Papwi 
Bancroft  Library 


.IDAN-HA  GOLD  DREDGE  COMPANY. 

—  !""",--*       _ 


PROPERTIES: 

Stanley  Basin,  Cuskr  County, 


CAPITAL  STOCK  $500,000. 

Par  Value  $  1 .00  per  Share.  Pull  Paid  and  Non-Assessable. 


OITICERS: 

PRESIDENT,  F.  O.  ROBINSON Richmond,  Va. 

VICE-PRESIDENT,  I).  C.  YOUNG,  JK Boise,  Idaho. 

SECRETARY,  W.  L.  GROSE Boise,  Idaho. 

TREASURER,  H.  C.  WILLIS ••       .Boise,  Idaho. 

MANAGER,  H.  C.  WILLIS. 


STANU-Y  BASIN 


OP  ALL   MIXING,    PLXeER  PBYS   BEST. 

Uban^ba  <5olfc  £>refcoe  Company. 


HIS  company  is  organized  under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Idaho,  for  the  primary 
purpose  of  building,  and  operating  one,  or  move  Standard  Gold  Saving  Dredges 
in  the  Stanly  Basin,  Custer  Co.,  Idaho. 

Property. 

The  company  has  placed  under  bond  and  lease  Fire  Hundred  and  Forty  040)  acres  of 
Gold  Placer  Grounds  the  center  of  Stanley  Basin,  known  as  the  "Old  Cooper"  or  "Walters 
ground,"  and  the  "Italian  ground."  This  is  one  of  the  richest,  and  most  extensive  placer 
deposits  in  the  United  States,  and  comprises  the  best  ground  in  this  rich  district.  It  is 
practically  all  virgin  ground,  never  having  been  worked,  and  presents  a  proposition  to  the 
investor,  which  for  values,  profits,  and  ease  of  handling  has  never  been  equalled. 

The  ground  is  about  fourteen  (14)  feet  average  depth  from  grass  roots  to  bedrock,  and 
is  all  pay  gravel,  with  two  feet  of  loam.  The  property  contains  approximately  ten  million 
cubic  yards  of  gravel,  each  yard  containing  high  values  in  Gold.  The  property  consists  of 
about  two  and  one-half  miles  of  the  flat  along  Stanley  Creek,  on  both  sides  of  the  creek, 
with  the  side  bars,  draws  and  gulches. 

The  great  Boise  Basin  in  the  adjoining  County  has  yielded  over  $100,000,000.00  in 
gold  from  \lsplacer  workings  and  is  still  producing  heavily.  Stanley  Basin  has  probably 
greater  riches  in  gold  values  to  deliver  up  to  the  greedy  dredge. 


4  /••/;;//>  ALL  LETTERS  'A\D  REPORTS. 

California,  Colorado,  Montana,  Arizona,  Idaho,  Alaska,  Australia,  etc.,  arc  yielding  enor- 
mous profits  to  the  companies  operating  these  great  dredges,  though  their  average  saving 
per  cubic  yard  is  far  below  the  values  this  company  will  obtain  from  Stanley  Basin. 

Many  millions  of  dollars  are  invested  in  these  huge  machines,  working  their  way 
through  the  gold  bearing  deposits  in  the  basins,  and  valleys  of  the  above  mentioned  str 

Placer  Deposits. 

IMacer  deposits  are  the  results  of  nature's  mining  operations  carried  on  through  countless 
ages  upon  a  stupendous  scale. 

By  the  grinding  action  of  pre-historic  glaciers  and  the  consequent  disintegration  of  the 
rocks,  and  the  subsequent  erosion  of  these  disintegrated  rocks,  by  the  action  of  \\aUi. 
quartz  veins  in  the  mountains  have  been  pulverized,  as  in  a  mill,  and  the  gold  set  free, 
and  carried  down  by  streams,  and  deposited  with  the  gravel,  and  stones  along  their  course: 
overflowing  along  the  banks,  and  during  freshets  spreading  to  a  considerable  distance  <>n 
either  bank  of  the  streams,  frequently  changing  their  course.  After  thousands  ot  veais 
deep  deposits  of  gravel  are  formed,  containing  gold,  both  fine  gold,  and  nuggets,  the  latter 
often  of  considerable  size.  By  suitable  means  these  gravel  deposits  are  raised,  and  washed, 
and  the/v/</,  and  valuable  Hack  sands,  or  concentrates,  are  separated,  and  saved. 

Placer  Mining. 

During  the  early  days  of  placer  mining  in  the  western  states,  the  placer  deposits  weie 
worked  by  .sluicing,  later  by  hydraulic  elevators,  etc.,  but  within  the  past  few  years  £V>/,/ 
saving  dredges  have  been  used  with  marked  success.  Many  placer  deposits  ^  great  extent. 


PL71GER  MINING  SUPERIOR  TO   QUBRTZ. 


and  richness,  which  could  not  be  worked  by  sluicing,  or  elevating,  owing  to  the  flat  country 
in  which  they  lay,  have  become,  through  the  advent  of  the  dredge,  of  enormous  value  to 
their  owners.  Each  year  has  brought  many  improvements  in  the  construction,  capacity, 
power,  and  economy  of  operation  of  the  gold  saving  dredge,  until  we  have  now  a  perfect 
piece  of  machinery,  for  digging  the  gravel  deposits,  hoisting  them  automatically  onto  the 
dredge,  and  milling  them  in  a  perfect  manner,  thus  saving  all  the  values  in  the  precious 
metal.  This  company  has  the  advantage  of  all  the  experimental  work  on  dredges,  and 
will  install  one,  or  more  of  the  latest,  and  most  improved  gold  dredges;  one  saving  the 
greatest  possible  values,  with  the  least  daily  expenditure  for  operating. 

Values  of  the  Property. 

These  540  acres  have  been  thoroughly,  and  very  carefully  prospected  for  values,  by 
various  means,  throughout  their  extent,  and  an  extremely  conservative  average  value  of 
50  cents  per  cubic  yard  arrived  at.  Several  experts  place  the  average  value  per  yard 
at  $1.00  but  while  the  values  in  some  parts  of  this  property  run  as  high  as  $15.00  in  free 
gold  per  cubic  yard,  we  consider  it  best  to  place  such  an  average  value  per  cubic  yard  as 
will  justify  us  in  making  the  statement  that  the  whole  property  will  wash///)'  cents  in  free 
gold  per  cubic  yard.  One  careful  test  was  made  by  sluicing  a  trench  1500  ft.  long,  15  ft. 
wide,  and  6  ft.  average  depth.  5000  cubic  yards  of  gravel  were  moved,  and  washed,  and 
£9,000.00  in  free  gold  recovered.  An  average  of  $1.80  per  yard.  Competent  men  who 
made  these  various  prospecting  tests  found  values  ranging  from  25  cents  to  $15.00  per 
cubic  yard  of  gravel,  taking  tests  on  all  the  various  sections.  See  reports  herewith. 


6^  JVO  BETTER  INVESTMENT  EVER  OFFERED. 

Capacity. 

Our  first  dredge  will  have  a  daily  capacity  of  1500  to  1600  cubic  yards.  There  are 
no  rocks,  large  boulders,  stumps,  or  roots  to  coutend  with  on  this  property,  and  the  dredge 
will  run  smoothly,  and  continuously. 

Fifteen  hundred  cubic  yards  of  gravel  per  day  at  50  cents  per  cubic  yard  will  give  us  a 
gross  daily  income  of  $750.00  from  free  gold  alone. 

Black  Magnetic  Iron  Sands  or  Concentrates. 

In  addition  to  \\\t  free  gold  saved  from  the  gravel,  there  are  large  values  i:i  the  black 
sands.  In  each  cubic  yard  of  gravel  handled  we  will  separate  thirty  pounds  of  magnetic 
sands  (i  percent,  of  the  gross  weight  of  a  cubic  yard  of  gravel). 

Fiom  numerous  assays  had  of  these  sands  we  will  obtain  an  average  net  amount  of 
$120.00  per  ton  of  sands,  or  concentrates.  Handling  1500  yards  of  gravel  daily,  of  a  gross 
weight  of  four  and  one-half  million  pounds,  we  will  on  a  basis  of  i  per  cent.,  obtain  twenty- 
two  and  one-half  (22  J4)  tons  of  sands  of  a  total  gross  value  of  $2700.00. 

It  is  proposed  to  save  these  sands  during  next  summer's  operations,  and  at  the  be- 
ginning of  our  second  year's  work,  to  erect  an  Elspass  or  other  suitable  roller  mill,  in 
connection  with  a  cyanide  plant  to  treat  these  sands,  and  save  the  large  values  daily. 

We  can  operate  from  six  to  eight  months  each  season. 


GLEAM  UP  OUR  PROFITS  D7IILY. 

ASSAY  OFFICE  OF  T.   H.   MANNING. 

924   EIGHTH  STRKKT. 

BOISE,  IDAHO, 
MR.  E.  J.  WATTKRS. 

DKAR  SIR  :     I  find  your  ore  deposited  by  hand,  from  Stanley  Basin,  contains  as  follows: 


OUNCES  OUNCES  VALUE        TOTAL 

HER  CENT  PER  CENT     GOLD  VALUE       SILVER  SILVER       \ALUE                  KFMARKI 

DESCRIPTION  OF  ORE        No.    COPPER       LEAD       PER  TON  GOLD      I'm  TON         AT           SILVER 

OF  ORE  (.FORE  ..PER  Oz  AND  GOLD 


Magnetic  iron  sand  from  °"  a '»sis  of  '  P*r 

Stanley  Basin cent.of  iron  or  mag- 
netic sand  per  yard 

Amalgamated 2.72      $5622    fe6  22     of  gravel,  these  fig- 
ures will  represent  a 

value   of  fi.gi    per 

Assay  of  sand  after  free  cubic  yard. 


gold  was  taken  out 34" 


$7°  *7          2.  *'  20       $7«  47 


Total  value        *I27  69 

I  hereby  certify  that  the  above  is  the  true  and  correct  result  of  ore  deposited. 

(Signed          T.  H.  MANNING,  Assayer. 

The  gold  values  are  given  on  the  basis  of  $20.67  P«  fine  ounce.     Silver  6oc  per  oz. 


OUR  LETTERS,   GENUI\E  EXPRESSIONS  OF  KNOWLEDGE. 


Cost  of  Operation. 

From  carefully  prepared  statistics  taken  from  various  sections  where  placer  milling; 
by  dredges  is  carried  on,  it  is  found  that  by  the  use  of  modern  gold  dredges  gravel  can  be 
handled,  and  the  free  gold  saved  ready  for  the  United  States  Mint,  for  from  3c  to  6c  per 
cubic  yard,  according  to  the  character  of  the  ground,  conditions  as  to  wood  and  water,  and 
whether  the  gravel  contains  large  boulders,  etc. 

\\'e  have  abundance  of  water,  wood,  and  no  boulders,  stumps  or  roots,  the  ground 
being  meadow  laud;  but  we  have  made  due  allowance  for  all  possible  contingencies,  and 
estimate  our  cost  of  operating  at  5C  per  cubic  yard  of  gravel  for  the  free  gold  alone — an  ex- 
tremely liberal  estimate.  Also  an  estimate  of  $5.00  per  ton  of  black  sands,  for  separating, 
and  treating  the  sands  by  milling,  and  cyanidiug  complete. 

Summary. 

FIRST  YEAR'S  OPERATION.    ONE  DREDC.K. 
FREE  GOLD  VALUES  ONLY. 

1500  cubic  yards  of  gravel  per  day  (a)  5oc  per  yard $750.00 

Operating  expenses  (ai  50  per  cubic  yard 75-°° 

Daily  net  profit $675.00 

Per  month  of  30  days  $20,250.00. 
Second  year,  with  two  dredges,  double  the  above  amount  for  each  operating  month. 

During  the  second  year  we  will  mill  and  treat  the  black  sands  saved  the  first  year, 
as  well  as  treat  the  sands  daily  saved  during  the  second  season. 


RE71D   UP  O\  PL'AGER  MINI\G   BY  DREDGE. 


Black  Sands  or  Concentrates. 

In  handling  1500  cubic  yards  of  gravel  daily,  we  save  22l/4  tons  of  Magnetic  Iron 
Sands  of  an  average  value  of  $120.00  per  ton. 

22  l/t  tons  of  concentrates  @  $120.00 $  2,700.00 

Cost  of  treatment  (it  $5.00  per  ton 1 12.50 

Daily  net  profit $  2,587.50 

Per  month  of  30  days  $77,625.00. 

Monthly  profit  in  Free  Gold,  one  dredge    $20,250.00 

Monthly  profit  in  Black  Sana's,  one  dredge 77,625.00 

Total  net  monthly  profit.. $97,875.00 

For  a  season  of  six  and  one-half  months  operation,  total  profits  $636,187.50  available 
for  dividends.  When  fully  under  way  dividends  will  be  paid  monthly  during  the  operat- 
ing season. 

These  figures  are  not  an  exaggeration,  but  plain,  cold,  Hard  facts. 

This  ground  will  average,  free  gold  and  black  sands,  $2.30  per  cubic  yard. 

Our  income  begins  the  day  the  dredge  is  turned  over  to  us  by  the  builders,  ready  for 
operating. 

The  company  will  sell  such  number  of  its  shares  at  Fifty  Cents  (500)  per  share  as  will 
provide  for  the  purchase  bond  and  the  equipment  of  the  property  with  a  suitable  dredge 
of  1500  to  1600  cubic  yards  capacity  daily.  Dredge  will  be  provided  with  the  most  ap- 
proved machinery  and  gold  saving  devices  and  appliances. 

Make  checks  payable  to  the  company. 


io  THIS  /S  A  BUSINESS  PROPOSITION. 


No  mining  proposition  of  any  character  has  ever  been  placed  before  the  public  with 
such  strong  indorsements  as  are  given  to  the  placer  grounds  of  Stanley  Basin,  under  bond 
and  lease  to  this  company.  The  names  following  are  of  men  of  the  highest  standing,  and 
who  indorse  the  properly,  and  not  one  of  whom  has  any  interest  in  our  company: 

Judge  J.  H.  Richards,  Hoise,  Idaho,  President  of  American  Mining  Congress,  the 
leading  mining  organization  of  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Frank  Steunenberg,  Caldwell,  Idaho,  Kx-Governor  State  of  Idaho. 

Mr.  F.  W.  Hunt,  Hoise,  Idaho,  Kx-(iovernor  State  of  Idaho. 

Mr.  B.  F.  Olden,  Boise,  Idaho,  President  Bank  of  Commerce. 

Mr.  S.  B.  Coulter,  Boise,  Idaho,  Leather  Merchant. 

Mr.  F.  F.  Fisher,  Custer  County,  Idaho,  Mining  Expert  and  Engineer.  Principal 
owner  of  the  Fisher  Mine,  Blaine  County,  Idaho,  20  miles  from  Stanley  Basin. 

Mr.  D.  M.  Steen,  Boise,  Idaho,  Fletcher-Steen  Co.,  Ltd.,  Hardware. 

Mr.  S.  J.  Roberts,  May,  Lemhi  County,  Idaho,  well-known  Mining  Engineer. 

Mr.  E.  Brannan,  Boise,  Idaho,  Placer  Mine  Expert. 

Mr.  S.  E.  Johnson,  Spokane,  Wash.,  Mining  Engineer. 

Capt.  R.  Bledsoe,  Boise,  Idaho,  Placer  Mine  Expert. 

Mr.  J.  J.  Demiug,  Boise,  Idaho,  the  well-known  Mining  Engineer. 

And  many  others. 

The  following  letters  and  reports,  and  extracts  from  letters  and  reports,  are  taken 
from  many  we  have  upon  the  subject.  Read  these  reports  carefully  and  note  the  authors: 


PLBGER  MI1V1JVG  IS  PURELY  ME.GH71NIG7\L  WORK.  II 


RICHARDS  &   HA<;.\, 
MR.  E.  J.  WATTERS,  ATTORNEYS  AT  LAW.  BOISE,  IDAHO,  Sept.  23,  1905. 

BOISK,  IDAHO. 

DKAR  SIR:  — I  have  been  familiar  with  the  Stanley  Basin  Placer  ground  (or  many  years  by  reputation.  I 
have  talked  with  men  who  have  become  familiar  with  that  property  by  actual  work  upon  it,  and  test  pits  sunk 
and  after  a  most  careful  investigation.  Many  of  these  men  are  among  our  most  respected  citizens  and  whose 
statements  I  would  not  hesitate  to  accept.  And  I  am  informed  that  for  dredging  purposes  it  is  a  most  excellent 
property,  and,  from  the  statements  of  these  men,  there  seems  to  be  little  doubt  but  that  the  property  will  average 
close  to  50  cents  per  yard;  this  being  true,  there  can  be  no  question  about  this  being  a  very  valuable  property.  In 
fact,  the  general  opinion  about  this  property  is  so  universally  good  that  I  consider  it  one  worthy  of  investigation 
for  any  person  who  thinks  of  engaging  in  a  dredging  proposition.  Very  truly  yours, 

J.  H.  RICHARDS. 

Judge  J.  H.  Richards  is  President  of  the  American  Mining  Congress,  the  foremost  mining  organization  in 
the  United  States,  and  a  gentleman  held  in  the  very  highest  esteem  by  aH  who  have  the  honor  of  his  acquaintance. 


MR.  H.  C.  WILLIS,  BOISE,  IDAHO,  Sept.  15,  1905. 

BOISK,  IDAHO. 

Di'.AR  SIR:— In  reference  to  your  inquiry  relative  to  the  Stanley  Basin  Placer  Mines,  and  the  practicability  of 
dredging  the  same,  will  state  that  I  have  never  made  a  personal  examination  of  the  ground,  more  than  to  pass 
over  this  district  and  to  observe  it  closely  in  a  general  way,  without  making  a  personal  investigation. 

This  ground  has  been  worked  more  or  less  for  the  past  thirty  years,  by  drifting,  ground  sluicing  and  two 
small  dredges;  these  dredges  have  worked  several  thousand  yariis  and  I  have  this  statement  direct  from  the 
operators,  that  they  recovered  from  fourteen  cents  to  two  dollars  per  yard  in  gold,  nothing  going  less  than  four- 
teen cents  per  yard.  *  The  best  part  of  this  field  is  about  two  miles  long  and  from  200  to  700  feet  wide  and  the- 
gravel  about  II  "feet  deep.  This  ground  is  too  flat  to  work  any  other  way  except  by  dredges.  The  conditions  are 
all  ideal  for  this  kind  of  operation,  no  boulders  in  the  gravel,  soft  bedrock,  plenty  of  water,  abundance  of  timber 
for  lumber  and  fuel,  good  roads  to  the  claims,  and  the  ground  can  be  worked  eight  or  nine  mouths  of  the  year. 
This  gravel  contains  a  large  amount  of  black  sand,  a!x>ut  one  per  cent.;  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  save  this 
sand,  which  runs  from  seventy  dollars  to  $140.00  per  ton  in  gold.  These  values  can  be  saved  by  recovering  the 
black  sand  and  treating  the  same  on  the  ground  by  cyanide.  For  these  claims  I  would  recommend  one  or  more 
small,  stronglv  built  dredges. 

When  we  remember  that  ground  in  California  is  being  dredged  at  a  profit  that  returns  five  cents  per  yard 
and  in  New  Zealand  at  two  and  one-half  cents  per  yard,  then  this  ground  with  the  favorable  conditions  will  cer- 
tainly l>e  a  paying  proposition  if  intelligently  managed.  One  dredge  could  not  work  out  this  ground  in  twenty 
vears.  I  consider  that  you  are  fortunate  in  securing  tht-fe  mining  claims.  Yours  truly, 

J.  J.  DKMINV.. 

*  Mr.  Deming  here  refers  to  work  done  and  being  done  on  ground  adjoining  uuis.  Nor  on  our  ground,  which  is  viigin  deposit. 

Mr.  Denting  is  an  expert  mining  engineer,  a  gentleman  of  the  highest  integrity,  and  well  and  very  favorably 
known  throughout  the  great  Northwest,  and  a  man  of  ultra-constrvatisin  in  mining  affairs. 


MORE    PROFIT   TH7l\   7t\Y  OTHER  1\VESTME\T. 


S.  H.  COULTER. 

MR.  H.  C.  WILLIS,  LBATHKR  STORE.  BOISE,  IDAHO,  Sept.  32,  1905. 

BOISE,  IDAHO. 

DEAR  SIR:  -  Replying  to  your  request  for  information  regarding  Stanley  Basin  Placer  ground,  will  say  I 
was  one  of  the  party  made  up  here  to  prospect  on  bench  claims  located  above  the  Walters  and  Roberts  ground  on 
Stanley  Creek.  We  sank  a  great  many  holes  on  the  bench  and  some  on  the  flat.  There  is  gold  everywhere  over 
on  Stanley  Creek,  but  the  Flat  is  particularly  good  as  a  dredging  proposition.  The  creek  bottom  is  the  key  to  the 
whole  gulch  and  would  have  to  be  worked  out  before  anything  much  could  be  done  with  the  benches.  The  creek 
bottom  struck  me  as  being  an  ideal  place  to  dredge,  there  being  no  large  boulders  and  no  timber  nor  brush  to  con- 
tend with.  Every  hole  that  we  put  down  showed  fine  values  until  we  got  down  to  about  one-quarter  mile  of 
Valley  Creek.  While  I  think  likely  that  the  ground  down  there  would  pay  to  dredge,  yet  it  does  not  begin  to 
prospect  like  the  ground  farther  up  Stanley  Creek.  In  my  estimation  the  old  Cooper  ground,  now  owned  by 
Walters  &  Co. .  and  the  claims  of  Sid  Roixrts,  are  the  cream  of  the  gulch.  Immediately  north  of  the  Walters 
ground  and  adjoining  the  same  is  the  ground  owned  and  now  being  worked  by  the  Old  Dredge  Co.  This  is  no 
doubt  very  fine,  as  they  have  l>een  working  an  old  dredge  on  it  for  years  and  it  must  pay  or  they  would  quit. 

Hoping  that  this  is  about  what  you  wish  to  know,  I  remain,  yours  respectfully. 

S.  B.  COULTER. 

Mr.  Coulter  has  had  large  experience  in  this  class  of  mining.  Is  among  the  leading  business  men  of  Boise, 
occupying  an  enviable  position  for  honesty,  straightforwardness  and  ability. 

MR.  K.  ).  WAITERS,  BOISE.  IDAHO,  Sept.  19,  1905. 

BOISE,  IDAHO. 

DEAR  SIR: — Replying  to  your  inquiry  as  to  what  I  know  about  your  Stanley  Basin  Placer  property,  will  say 
that  I  am  thoroughly  familiar  with  your  ground  and  that  I  do  not  know  of  a  better  property  anvwhere  in  Idaho. 
The  ground  will  pay  well  for  handling  every  cubic  yard  from  grass  roots  to  bedrock.  It  will,  I  believe,  average 
50  cents  per  cubic  yard  throughout,  and  in  my  estimation  is  a  very  valuable  property,  which  with  a  gold  saving 
dredge  will  prove  extremely  profitable  to  you  and  your  associates.  Very  truly  yours. 

R.  BLEDSOE. 

Captain  Hledsoe  has  had  many  years  practical  experience  in  placer  mining,  being  a  California  "forty- 
niner,"  and  is  a  thoroughly  competent  judge  of  such  properties.  He  is  among  the  most  solid,  influential  men  of 
the  community,  and  of  untarnished  honor. 

Extracts  from  Letter  of  F.  F.  Fisher. 

In  reply  to  your's  of  recent  date  as  to  what  I  know  of  your  Stanley  Basin  Placer  ground,  and  my  opinion 
thereof,  will  say  that  I  have  been  familiar  with  it  for  over  thirty  years,  first  going  there  in  1874. 

The  ground  you  own  is  familiar  to  me  as  the  Cooper  ground,  which  includes  over  two  miles  of  the  main  flat 
of  Stanley  Creek,  and  while  it  would  !>r  impossible  for  me  to  say  what  the  average  per  yard  would  be,  with  the 


STROVGLY  ENDORSED   PROPOSITION  13 


rich  pay  streak  in  the  main  flat,  your  average  per  yard  will  be  high  enough  if  you  get  a  dredge  that  will  handle 
say  1,000  yards  per  day,  that  there  will  be  more  money  in  it  than  any  proposition  that  I  know  of  in  the  country. 
In  fact,  in  my  thirty  years'  experience  in  the  mining  business,  I  do  not  know  of  another  proposition  that  can  equal 
this.  The  only  question  is  the  size  of  your  profits;  that  you  will  make  money  for  yourself  and  those  interested 
with  you,  is  an  assured  fact  to  people  that  know  the  ground.  Yours  truly,  V.  !•".  FISHER. 

Mr.  Fisher  has  had  a  large  experience  in  mining,  and  his  statements  are  accepted  at  face  value  by  all  who 
know  him. 

MR.  H.  C.  WILLIS,  \VBRDENHOFF  MIXING  AND  MIUJNO  CO 

BOISE,  IIIAHO.  BOISE.  IDAHO,  Sept   21,1905. 

DEAR  SIR:— Replying  to  your  inquiry  in  regard  to  Stanley  Basin,  I  beg  to  say  that  I  have  some  knowledge 
of  the  country,  and  in  my  opinion  it  offers  perhaps  the  best  field  in  the  Mountain  States  for  dredge  placer  mining. 
The  district  has  been  worked  for  nearly  forty  years  by  hydraulic  methods,  but  the  gulch  where  the  water  grade  is 
very  light  has  never  been  worked,  and  never  can  be  except  by  the  dredge.  I  have  in  recent  years  had  a  number 
of  reports  from  some  of  the  best  mining  men  in  the  country,  and  they  all  agree  that  the  values  will  run  about  $oc 
per  yard.  This  means  pay  for  a  dredge  and  profit  for  any  company  formed  upon  a  conservative  mining  basis. 
The  water  supply  there  is  sufficient  for  this  method  of  mining  and  there  are  no  serious  difficulties  that  I  know  of 
to  overcome.  The  mining  ground  you  have  ranks  with  the  best  there  and  I  see  no  reason  why  it  should  not  be 
made  to  pay  well  if  properly  equipped  and  handled.  Very  respectfully.  F.  \V.  HUNT. 

K\-<",overnor  Hunt  occupies  a  high  place  in  the  State  of  Idaho.  His  statements  should  be.  and  are,  accepted 
at  par.  His  experience  in  mining  has  been  large,  and  his  knowledge  of  mining  affairs  beyond  question. 

BANK  OF  COMMERCK,  LTD. 
DKAR  SIR: 

During  the  month  of  August,  1900,  I  was  in  Stanley  Basin  inspecting  some  placer  ground  adjoining  yours, 
and  in  order  that  I  might  yet  a  fair  test  of  all  the  ground  in  Stanley  Basin  I  prospected  your  ground.  I  made  an 
impartial  test  from  grass  roots  to  bedrock  and  found  that  your  ground  averaged  54  cents  to  the  yard  in  refined 
gold.  Some  of  the  ground  was  much  richer  than  54  cents  per  yard,  but  I  am  satisfied  that  all  of  your  390  acres 
will  average  that  amount. 

I  have  had  considerable  experience  in  placer  mining,  and  can  safely  say  that  for  the  extent  of  the  gravel 
deposit  your  placer  ground  is  the  best  I  have  ever  seen  in  Idaho.  It  has  many  advantages— timber  is  plentiful  on 
the  surrounding  hills,  water  can  be  had  for  hydraulic  mining,  and  there  are  no  boulders  to  contend  with  on  any 
of  the  ground .  You  can  work  a  gravel  motor  elevator,  or,  if  you  desire,  you  can  use  a  dredge,  or  you  can  use  both. 

I  regard  your  mining  proposition,  if  well  handled,  as  a  safe  and  profitable  investment. 

Yours  truly,  B   F.  OLDEN,  fresiilfnt. 

Mr.  Olden  is  ex-l'resident  of  the  Boise  Chamber  of  Commerce,  ex-I'resident  Bank  of  Commerce  and  Presi- 
dent Idaho  Trust  and  Savings  Bank  His  letter  and  position  speak  for  him 


HO\EST,  I\TELLIGENT 


Letter  from  Dan  Steen,  Hardware  Merchant  of  Boise,  and  an  old  placer  miner. 
DEAR  SIR: 

In  reply  to  yours  of  recent  date  asking  what  I  known  of  your  placer  ground  in  Stanley  Basin  will  say,  while 
I  never  made  an  examination  of  Uie  same.  I  am  familiar  with  placer  ground  very  near  yours  that  has  been  paving 
upwards  of  one  dollar  per  yard  for  several  years.  The  general  character  of  the  bedrock  in  all  the  placer  mines  of 
Stanley  Hasin  is  soft  porphory  and  granite;  you  know  what  that  means  to  a  placer  miner.  There  are  no  large 
boulders  and  the  nature  of  the  gravel  is  such  that  it  can  be  easily  handled  by  dredging  or  sluicing.  I  am  satisfied 
with  sufficient  water  and  the  proper  appliances  for  working,  your  placer  will  be  a  very  valuable  property. 

Yours  truly.  D.  M.  STEEN. 

Mr.  Steen  is  one  of  the  leading  and  most  conservative  business  men  of  Boise,  and  held  in  great  esteem. 


Extracts  from  the  Report  of  S.  J .  Roberts,  Placer  Miner  and  Expert. 
DEAR  SIR: 

I  herewith  submit  my  report  upon  your  Stanley  Basin  Placer  ground  situated  on  Stanley  Creek,  Custer 
County,  Idaho,  70  miles  from  Ketchum,  the  nearest  K.  R.  point,  and  150  miles  from  Boise,  over  the  State  wagon 
road.  The  ground  consists  of  fourteen  claims  or  390  acres,  and  is  all  virgin  ground;  the  surface  of  the  ground  is 
smooth  with  a  fall  of  about  I  '• .  On  top  of  ground  in  the  main  flat  there  is  from  one  to  two  feet  of  loam.  On 
sides  gravel  comes  to  surface  or  grass  roots.  The  gravel  is  a  fine  quartz  wash  with  no  large  boulders  and  is  from 
eight  to  fifteen  feet  deep.  On  side  bars  pay  commences  at  grass  roots  and  in  the  flat  as  soon  as  you  get  through 
the  surface  loam  and  extends  to  and  into  the  bedrock  four  to  six  feet  as  far  as  I  was  able  to  get  for  water,  as  the 
only  means  I  had  for  bailing  was  with  buckets. 

Then:  is  an  open  cut  on  claim  number  five,  alxmt  1500  feet  long.  About  700  feet  of  it  is  on  bedrock  and  the 
upper  end  of  it  into  the  bedrock  some  three  feet,  showing  up  the  bedrock  as  well  as  gravel  on  side  of  cut.  The 
amount  of  gravel  moved,  figuring  the  dimensions  of  cut,  is  five  thousand  yards.  The  ground  will  prospect  from 
z.sc  to  $5.00  per  yard,  with  an  average  value  of  |i.oo  per  yard.  The  average  depth  of  gravel  is  11  feet  and  the 
average  depth  of  pay  about  14  feet. 

The  dredge  working  adjoining  ground  saved  6oc  per  yard  with  a  very  imperfect  sluice  box  and  a  ladder  that 
was  not  long  enough  to  reach  bedrock.  When  these  defects  have  been  overcome  then  ground  will  yield  at  least 
$ l.oo  per  yard. 

Your  proposition  is  one  of  the  best  I  have  ever  seen  in  my  1 5  years'  experience  in  mining  through  the  States 
of  the  Pacific  Coast,  from  the  fact  that  the  ground  is  fine  and  the  bedrock  soft  and  easily  cleaned  and  the  gold  uni- 
formly distributed  through  the  ground.  I  do  not  belirve  that  there  is  a  yard  of  gravel  on  the  above  14  claims  or 
390  acres  that  will  not  go  2,sc  per  yard  and  from  that  to  $5.00  per  yard,  which  will  give  an  average  value  of  $J.oo 
per  yard  and  with  a  standard  gold  saving  dredge  the  ground  ought  to  be  handled  for  4  to  6c  per  yard. 

S.  J.  ROBERTS. 

Mr.  Roberts  is  a  well  known  mining  man  who  thoroughly  understands  his  business,  and  is  well  qualified  to 
report  upon  such  a  proposition.  Since  this  report  was  made  150  acres  have  been  added  to  the  property. 


eaREFUL,  CONSERVATIVE  SUPERVISION.  15 

Extracts  from  Report  of  Edward  Brannon. 

LOCATION 

Tlic  placer  ground  of  Stanley  Creek  is  situated  on  Stanley  Creek  in  Stanley  Basin,  Custer  County,  Idaho,  at 
an  altitude  of  6,000  feet,  and  is  accessible  by  a  good  wagon  road  from  Boise,  Ketchum  or  Mackay.  Ketchuni  is 
tbe  nearest  railroad  point,  distant  about  70  miles  over  an  excellent  wagon  road.  The  cost  of  wagon  freight  from 
Ketchuni  to  Stanley  Basin  is  about  60  cents  per  cwt. 

EXTENT  OK  PROPERTY. 

The  property  consists  of  fourteen  claims,  forming  a  surface  of  over  390  acres.  This  includes  about  two  miles 
of  the  channel  or  main  flat  of  Stanley  Creek,  together  with  side  bars,  and  is  the  key  to  Stanley  Basin. 

The  gravel  is  from  seven  to  twelve  feet  in  depth  with  a  false  bedrock.  The  bedrock  is  porphry  and  granite, 
and  can  be  easily  dredged  to  any  desired  depth,  and  carries  values  throughout. 

VALUES. 

All  gravel,  including  bedrock,  carries  values.  Pan  prospects  show  values  from  15  cents  to  $15.00  per  yard. 
There  is  an  open  cut  that  has  been  boomed  out.  About  1200  feet  of  this  has  been  washed  to  Iwdrock,  500  feet  of 
the  upper  end  to  and  into  the  l>edrock  3  to  4  feet  in  places  where  good  pay  value  was  found.  That  part  of  the 
ground  waslu-d  by  booming  or  ground  sluicing  has  paid  $1.80  per  yard.  People  who  have  prospected  the  ground 
have  placed  an  average  value  from  50  cents  up,  some  as  high  as  Ji.oo  per  yard. 

I  have  known  of  this  ground  for  about  20  years,  but  first  visited  it  in  19x11,  at  which  time  we  prospected  it 
with  a  prospecting  drill,  and  also  by  test-pits  "dug  by  hand.  We  drilled  two  holes  to  bedrock  in  Cooper  No.  I, 
which  showed  a  value  of  60  cents  per  cubic  yard.  We  drilled  one  hole  in  Cooper  No.  2,  and  one  in  No.  6,  where  it 
showed  an  average  value  of  55  cents  per  cubic  yard.  We  then  drilled  three  holes  across  the  main  flat,  two  on  No. 
7  and  one  on  the  Bend  of  the  Gulch,  where  it  averaged  about  35  cents.  These  places  are  designated  on  the 
accompanying  map  and  are  numbered  from  I  to  7.  These  tests  were  made  where  the  ground  from  surface  indica- 
tions showed  the  least  values,  as  we  were  satisfied  with  the  richness  of  the  ground  in  other  parts.  The  places 
in  .irked  on  the  map  with  an  X  represent  test  pits.  In  these  places  the  ground  run  considerably  higher  than  60 
cents  per  yard.  I  panned  in  the  upper  part  of  the  cut  in  No.  5,  and  from  five  pans  secured  85  cents  in  gold.  This 
gravel,  however,  was  taken  near  the  bedrock,  and  would  not  be  a  true  indication  of  the  real  values  of  that  ground. 
In  my  judgment,  however.  No.  5  will  average  a  dollar  a  yard  if  not  more.  Near  the  gulch  on  the  Old  Watner 
another  outfit  drilled  a  hole  to  bedrock  and  got  a  value  of  $15.00  per  yard.  This  gulch  is  very  rich;  in  fact,  fully 
as  rich  as  any  part  of  the  main  flat. 

During  my  forty  years'  experience  in  placer  mining  in  California  and  Idaho,  I  have  seen  few  placer  propo- 
sitions belter  adapted  to  dredging  or  more  promising  for  the  investor. 

In  my  judgment  the  gravel  will  show  an  average  value  of  about  50  cents  per  cubic  yard,  when  washed  with 
cither  a  dredge  or  hydraulic  elevator. 


J6  DON'T  PASS    YOVR  OPPORTUNITY. 

WATKR  SITI'I.Y. 

There  is  ample  water  on  the  pound  for  dredging  purposes.  Stanley  Creek  carries  about  50  inches  in  ex- 
treme low  water  during  August  and  September.  Karlier,  during  the  months  of  May  ami  June,  it  carries  up  to 
i<««>  inches.  The  main  flat  of  the  Basin  is  wet,  be  ing  fed  from  numerous  springs  from  side  draws  and  gulches. 
There  is  ample  water  from  three  to  five  miles  from  the  property  in  the  Salmon  River  or  tributaries  for  an  electric 
power  plant,  which  if  used  in  connection  with  a  dredge,  will  be  found  the  most  economical. 

Respectfully,  U.   HRANNON. 

Mr.  Rrannon  is  a  placer  mine  expert  of  many  years  experience  His  knowledge  and  ability  are  beyond  dis- 
pute, and  he  isconsidered  one  of  leading  men  in  the  State  of  Idaho  on  all  (jtiestions  relating  to  this  class  of  mining. 

Extracts  from  Report  of  S.  E.  Johnson. 
DKAR  SIR: 

The  Stanley  Kasin  placer  in  Idaho  I  passed  several  days  on,  l»eing  there  for  the  purpose  of  an  examination 
into  its  fitness  for  a  dredging  enterprise,  ami  found  much  to  approve.  The  Basin  or  Valley  is  almost  three  miles 
long,  of  irregular  width  up  to  several  thousand  feet,  grass  grown  flats  \s  ith  scarcely  a  shrub  on  them.  Its  drainage 
is  into  the  Salmon  River  with  a  fall  of  75  to  150  feet  per  mile  (  approximately  I.  Along  its  drainage  line  some  little 
placer  work  has  been  done,  exposing  gravel  to  a  depth  of  from  7  to  io  feet,  at  which  depth  arr  found  the  so-called 
bedrock.  This  gravel  consists  of  sands,  pebbles,  cobbles  and  small  txnilders.  the  latter  remarkably  under-sized,  an 
occasion.il  one  is  found  as  large  as  a  common  water  pail,  and  altogether  unusually  good  ground  for  easy,  cheap 
handling.  Its  gold  is  found  from  grass  roots  to  bedrock  in  increasing  quantities  until  bedrock  is  reached." 

My  own  examinations,  made  with  pan,  gave  cubic  yard  values  ranging  from  60  cents  to  }-.  These  pannings 
were  made  in  groups  of  five  to  six  pans  each  and  covered  the  ground  for  about  two  miles  in  length  and  were  so 
uniformly  good  as  to  cause  me  to  concede  to  the  ground  I  could  see  exposed  an  average  value  of  50  cents  per  cubic 
yard  In  addition  to  the  lower  levels  of  gravel  area  are  shallow  bars  slightly  elevated  above  them  These  bars 
extend  along  the  east  side  of  the  meadow  lands  for  a  distance  of  about  one  mile,  while  higher  up  the  valley  are 
similar  bars  upon  the  opposite  >ide.  all  good  in  metal. 

I  unhesitatingly  assure  you  a  very  profitable  undertaking.        Very  truly  yours,         S.  K.  JOHNSON. 

Mr.  Johnson  is  too  well  and  favorably  known  to  comment  on  his  position  or  ability. 

H.  C.  Wiu.is,  1  BOISK.  Il.\ll<>.  Oct.  7.   1905. 

UOIM..  IDUIO. 

DKAK  SIR:— Replying  to  your  incjuiry,  I  will  state  that  the  Stanley  llasin  placer  mining  district  offers  most 
flattering  inducements  for  capital  economically  and  practically  managed.  While  my  personal  examination  of  the 
ili>trirt  was  not  in  detail,  still  it  was  of  sufficient  thoroughness  to  satisfy  me  that  the  district  had  great  merit,  and 
I  was  able  to  verify  in  a  large  degree  the  reports  of  several  experienced,  practical  mining  men.  I  have  no  hesitancy 
in  saving  that  the  man,  or  company,  properly  financed,  that  takes  hold  of  the  operation  there  will  secure  most 
gratifying VMBto.  Very  truly,  1  RANK  STKfNIiXBliRG. 

Mr.  Mcunenberg  is  ex-Gowrnor  of  the  State  of  Idaho. 


- 


MAP  OF  STANLEY  BASIN.  GOLD  PLACER  PROPERTY 


1  0 


